Great email :)

As stated in my last email update, the whole FlexRadio team
has been working hard to complete the final remaining software items for the
new FLEX-6400(M) and FLEX-6600(M) models prior to shipment. We want to
sincerely thank our field test team for their great work putting the new
radios through the paces.

We will begin contacting
pre-order customers in sequence of order date to finalize their order,
determine any accessories desired and reconfirm shipping information in
preparation for volume shipments going into February. If you are one of
the early pre-order customers please watch your email for your invoice and
payment instructions.

Thank you again for your patience throughout this process. We
sincerely desire that you enjoy your new FlexRadio.

More intended to reflect that the radios are out there, and the core Alphas have been joined by an add-on group with radios each person bought.

These gal(s) and guys are pounding out the hours testing and reporting so the FRS team gets the chance to work the code to get to that GA (general availability) level.

An amazing and fast moving process!

Cheering, Chiding and “are we there yet” perhaps Feel good, but it is these folks who are doing the really heavy lifting.

On the downside is FRS has radios almost ready (the GA release software would be loaded before packaging) and we’re an impatient group so eager to get the new radios.

On the upside we have FRS who shares a lot about the process, puts together these awesome development teams, and right to their CEO responding to concerns posted on the community forum they sponsor talks to us.

All in all a pretty cool situation that makes the FlexRadio Systems experience something special.

Guess we can’t help it that we’re impatient, and calling it anticipation undermines our eagerness.

I hope in the end everyone with a new radio is as excited - has that “this is cool” tingle - as I’ve experienced as an add-on tester. I’m also really pleased with what I got for the money I spent!

Steve, just kidding with you! I know you are sharing your experiences being an Alpha Tester. And it is appreciated. I talked to Matt is Sales yesterday to ask about a microphone cable they are selling and at the same time I also asked about going ahead and paying the balance of my bill to them. He asked me to wait until they actually invoiced me. (unless I insisted on paying now) As they have a system in place to handle their invoicing and payments for this initial phase of shipping the new radios. So, I went ahead and said I'd wait my turn. He told me that it would "probably" be another week and a half or so, before my invoice was sent. So, not too bad.Enjoy your new setup. Maybe we will work each other sometime. Flex to Flex!jamesWD5GWY

I imagine "going into February",( to me anyway) means, as we go into February, we will start volume shipping(as the email stated). Volume being, sending out pre-orders in large quanity instead of a few at a time. So, it would appear that actual shipping will start sometime at the beginning of February. Not earlier. But, I could be wrong. (been wrong several times in my life) We shall see!Anyway, at least we have some idea when things will start up now.jamesWD5GWY

It sounds to me the following: They will be sending invoices out from this day forward. But, will slowly increase radio shipments as we get closer to February. Obviously, Hamcation falls within this time period. It would be paramount for Flex to ship out as many radios before February 8th. Which most likely is their game plan.

If a person had made a deposit (reservation or pre-order) FRS contacts them in order sequence to get them their radio.

What they asked me was how I wanted my Flex-6600M shipped, what the exact ship-to address would be, if I wanted any extra stuff/accessories and then I was sent an Invoice.

Since I paid my invoice online right away, I cannot say what happens if you send them a check or hold off a few days to pay them.

I got a confirmation and updated invoice showing I was all paid, and then I was watching for a tracking number but my radio arrived before I had the number.

If like me the “pre-order” term seems confusing, I’m interpolating it as being part of that reservation/deposit process vs regular “orders” FRS receives & fulfills from inventory of their shelves. More of an internal terminology label I’m thinking.

Hope you have a radio reserved, as I’m predict8ng you will have a lot of fun with it when it is in your hands!

Folks, as an “add on Beta” to the Alpha Test Team, I can tell you the FlexRadio Systems team, the Alphas, and that whole group really work hard!

While I get to test this Flex-6600M and my Power Genius XL in what time I have after my real work is done daily, these folks are living the process 24/7.

They are hammering the gear and the software to forge a general release that matters.

What has been so cool is the malleability of the new radio and amp, and how this team’s efforts are making the final release product grow in my Shack. Of course that same malleability will later mean issues found can be addressed and additional capabilities rolled out.

You can catch occasional pictures of the new gear on my blog, and of course if you are in my area I’d love to show the gear off.

I’m hoping each of you are as glad as I have become about having the new gear in your Shack, and at some point reflect about the absolutely massive amount of talent-hours FRS and it’s team have poured into making the new radios a superlative “out of the box”experience as they roll out.